Former employee awarded £2,528 for breach of contract and unauthorised deductions
A former employee won £2,528.64 after Patel Post and Print Limited breached her contract and made unauthorised deductions from her wages. The tribunal also considered disability discrimination claims but they were withdrawn.
1 min read · Last updated 18 May 2026
Case details
Key facts
- The claimant had medical issues with her feet and mental health.
- The respondent is a small retail business and its proprietor.
- The claimant withdrew claims of race and religion discrimination, harassment, and victimisation.
- The tribunal found the first respondent breached the claimant's contract of employment.
- The claimant was awarded £2195.54 for breach of contract and £333.10 for unauthorised deductions.
Timeline
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Start of relevant period
The period from which the breach of contract damages were calculated began.
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End of relevant period
The period for breach of contract damages ended.
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First preliminary hearing
Claim dismissed for non-attendance, later revoked.
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Second preliminary hearing
Reconsideration granted; several claims withdrawn; amendment for reasonable adjustments granted.
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Final hearing start
Substantive hearing on liability began.
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Final hearing end
Liability hearing concluded.
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Liability judgment sent
Tribunal found breach of contract and unauthorised deductions.
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Remedy hearing
Damages assessed at £2195.54 for breach of contract and £333.10 for unauthorised deductions.
The legal issue
The tribunal had to decide whether the employer breached the contract of employment and made unauthorised deductions from wages, and whether it failed to make reasonable adjustments for the employee's disability.
The outcome
The tribunal found in favour of the former employee on breach of contract and unauthorised deductions claims. The disability discrimination claims (including failure to make reasonable adjustments) were withdrawn before the final hearing.
Compensation:
- Breach of contract: £2,195.54
- Unauthorised deductions: £333.10
- Total: £2,528.64
Lessons & takeaways
- Keep detailed records of your wages and any deductions to support a claim for unauthorised deductions.
- If you have a disability, request reasonable adjustments in writing and keep evidence of your employer's response.
- Withdrawing weak claims can help focus the tribunal on stronger ones and avoid costs risks.
- Even if discrimination claims are withdrawn, you may still succeed on breach of contract and unlawful deduction claims.
A small victory for a former employee
This case shows that even when discrimination claims are dropped, employees can still win compensation for straightforward contract breaches and unauthorised wage deductions. The former employee, who had medical issues affecting her feet and mental health, brought a wide-ranging claim against Patel Post and Print Limited, a small retail business. After several preliminary hearings, she withdrew claims of race and religion discrimination, harassment, victimisation, and others, but pressed on with breach of contract and unauthorised deductions.
What the employer did wrong
The tribunal found that Patel Post and Print Limited had breached the employment contract and made unauthorised deductions from wages. The breach of contract claim related to a period from July to December 2020, for which the employee was awarded £2,195.54. An additional £333.10 was awarded for unauthorised deductions. The employer, represented by counsel, was unable to successfully defend these claims.
What this means for similar claims
This case is a reminder that employers must follow the terms of the employment contract and cannot make deductions from wages without clear legal or contractual authority. For employees, it shows that even if more complex discrimination claims are not pursued, simpler claims for breach of contract and unlawful deductions can still succeed. The total award of £2,528.64 is modest, but it underscores the importance of keeping accurate records of pay and contractual entitlements.
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